Hybrid Tipout side material

[cperkin2]

I have a 2014 Roo 17 and I noticed last night during heavy rain that the side panels (panels behind the screen) of the front bunk where soaking through. It only soaks through on the part that is behind the screen.

Upon further inspection today I noticed that the sides are not vinyl covered like the rest of the material. The end panel that unzips is vinyl coated and didn't soak through. The side panels have the same cloth feel on both sides of the fabric.

Why would the sides not be vinyl coated, only the ends, on both tipouts?

Is there something that I can do make this more waterproof?

Thanks,
Chuck

[vinmaker]

You are correct. It is a different material. It is not vinyl coated as the rest of the tenting. FR used to use the same vinyl material for all tenting but changed that recently. They now use a thin canvas material. The only reason I can think of is to improve breath-ability.

You can spray it with some waterproofer. You can get it in any tenting section in a big box store.

Vin.